María Corina Machado repeats she will return to Venezuela 'step by step'; Bolton says Trump advisers stopped her flight

María Corina Machado repeated that she will return to Venezuela and that it is a promise kept step by step, NTN24 reported. The channel cited John Bolton, Trump's former national security adviser, who said Trump's advisers rejected her return after the earthquake. Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar urged that she be allowed back.

«Trump's advisers canceled a flight Machado had already started on June 26, forcing her to return to Miami.»— John Bolton (quoted by NTN24), July 7, 2026 · watch

«Allow María Corina Machado and the leaders of Venezuela's democratic movement to return home and help rebuild their country.»— María Elvira Salazar (quoted by NTN24), July 7, 2026 · watch